Malaysian telecom expands data-free music subscription pass

Digi Music Freedom canvasDigi Telecommunication, a Malaysian mobile operator, announced an extension of its Digi Music Freedom program through the end of the year. Digi Music Freedom is a pass for subscribers to stream from partner services without incurring data charges. New customers who activate their passes before Dec. 31 will get 120 days of streaming for free. Existing customers with free trials finishing before the end of 2015 can also take advantage of the offer. Digi recently added Line’s MixRadio and Samsung’s Milk Music to its roster of streaming partners. The pass also includes international platforms such as Spotify, Tidal, Rdio, Deezer, Guvera, and KKBOX.

We’re seeing more arrangements of this nature worldwide. T-Mobile has been the standard-bearer for some time, but this week alone, Virgin Mobile announced musical data deals in the U.S. and in Australia. Telecom bundle deals have been attractive for streaming services in the past, but this particular angle may help secure listeners. RAIN’s own Kurt Hanson recently reflected on the role of data (and its costs) in music and mobile.

Anna Washenko